LSCO Launches NEW Machining Program
January 12, 2026
ORANGE, TX – Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) will launch the new machining program this spring to prepare students for high-demand careers in manufacturing, petrochemical, and industrial sectors across Southeast Texas.
Developed in partnership with regional employers, the program focuses on manual machining fundamentals, precision measurement, blueprint reading, and hands-on training using lathes and mills. Students can complete an entry-level certificate in one semester and enter the workforce immediately, with opportunities to continue stacking credentials toward advanced certificates and degrees.
Sean McFarland, director of the machining program, said industry partners played a key role in shaping the curriculum.
“Industry partners have come to us everywhere, from machine shops to the petrochemical industry, telling us we need manual machining,” McFarland said. “We recognized the need to get back to the basics.”
The program addresses a growing shortage of skilled machinists as experienced workers retire nationwide. Howard Bailey, director of FAME (Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education) internships, said the issue extends far beyond the local region.
“We call it the silver tsunami,” Bailey said. “We are losing craftsmen and women daily, and we are not backfilling fast enough.”
In addition to technical training, the program emphasizes professional habits and workplace readiness. Alex Spell, chair of agriculture and manufacturing and program director for electromechanical technology, said students often learn by observing peers already working in the field.
“You also have traditional students taking classes with the FAME students and they see how the interns are dressed, and how they carry themselves,” Spell said. “They already have a job, and others come to us and say, ‘Hey, how do I get that?’”
Courses are currently offered in the evenings to accommodate working adults. Through LSCO’s FAME partnerships, many students are connected directly with employers during training, often securing jobs before completing the program.
The machining program is part of LSCO’s initiative designed to support regional economic growth while providing students with affordable, career-focused training.